Chapter 1

Freed

-Story Start-

I looked out the window as the scenery of woodsy forest passed us by. Gray clouds floated above us, as we drove down the lonely rode of my new home, La Push. I honestly was happy to be with a better family then my drug addicted, birth family. After so long living with my drunken father and meth addict mother Family Services, finally had discovered the truth of my parents cover up child abuse. I was never physically beaten, but I felt abandoned in an emotional way.

My parents never really cared about what I did at school or anywhere else. My mother and father never cared whether I received good grades, or bad grades. Neither one of my parents did not acknowledge me. The mental abuse was almost terrible to bear, but over the years, I have become emotionless and numb from feeling any sort of pain. I have been mostly a loner my whole life and only kept mutual friendships. I received good grades in school and behaved in minor ways, for example staying below criminal level. I still participated in other activities, not approved by the average caring parent. I smoke cigarettes when I am stress out and drink alcohol once in a while mostly at an event or occasion. I guess it is the normal rebellious teenager these days, though smoking is not a good habit to start. I am trying to quit smoking, but life always seems to find a way for me to start again.

I sunk into my seat even further as we continued on the road to my new guardian's home. I can say I am somewhat nervous to meet my new guardians, since I do not know them at all. I have only seen them through a couple of photos that the Social worker had provided me. The Social worker looked at me with some sort of worry in her eyes. Her name is Claudia, she is Hispanic and very sweet to me. The day she saved me from that horrid birth home, I slightly looked to up to her as a motherly figure. Claudia started to speak to me with hint compassion in her voice.

"You okay mija?"

I did not respond to her question. I know I am fine, yet I still have the shyness of a little girl. I am not great with adults since all my life I have avoided interacting as much as possible. At my previous residence, many parents' and teachers' would judge me as a badass kid or troublemaker. Truthfully, though I never was to cause trouble, but trouble always found me.

"I'm fine just thinking", I responded not wanting to be rude for all she has done.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Guardians…"

"You mean Kate and Mika?" Claudia had been urging me to say "parents" since she has found this couple for me to live with.

"Yes, the guardians"

Claudia just smirked at my rebellious remarks every time she tried to urge me to something new or more proper. Especially, when it came to family subjects.

"Kate and Mika are excited to have you living with them, why not let your first impressions be more welcoming and willing?"

"They're strangers to me; wouldn't you feel somewhat weird to call individuals your parents when you haven't even met them?"

Claudia rather chuckled at my response to her statement.

"True, but why not for a change, try something new? Dakota I know where you come from and I have seen many cases much like yours. It's not easy to change scenes all of a sudden, but think of it as a new fresh start for your life."

I couldn't help but understand Claudia's words, she was right. My life has changed, no more smell of meth burning throughout the air I breathed in, the drug dealers loathing around the space I was in, no more of that horrid, neglected life. Given a second chance to know what it was like to have a caring family, I was freed. The only problem was I didn't care much anymore. I have been so use to being on my own, I have gotten too use to the lifestyle. Yet, part of me still wanted to know what it was like to have caring parents, and a nice clean home. Where it was possible for me to have holiday parties, happy birthdays, and have friends over. Part me still wanted an emotional life.

"Fine…I'll try to think outside the box, because I'm sooo "'open-minded' " -_-

Claudia smirked and looked at me. I knew she was hiding the excitement she surging through her body. The excitement of convincing me to try at least. I couldn't help but respect Claudia, and why not try a change? In my mind, I have always been so tired of my old life, then let me try new one.

"Thank you, for being open-minded Dakota, Kate, and Mika will also be appreciative. You'll like Kate and Mika; they own large land and a farm. They have dogs and plenty of animals.

I looked at her with deep sarcasm in my face. How did I come from crack baby to farmer? -_- Claudia is sweet, but she does not know me at all and I wouldn't expect her to anyways.

"Oh joy…hill-billies…"

"I wouldn't say that, but we're here Dakota, try to remember what we discussed please." Claudia spoke with a compassionate pitch to it.

"I'll be respectful, but don't expect me to change myself for their sakes."

Claudia drove up a dirt road where it leads to a huge country house. Not too far was a red and white barn, a couple of silos behind the barn.

'-_- Okay so maybe not hill-billies but I'm still not digging this scene' I thought to myself

Claudia saw my scrunched up face, I quickly dropped it and exited the car. Claudia did so as well and started walking up to the front of the home. As we walked up a young women no older than 29 or 30 came out to greet us. She had the blondest big hair, and bluest eyes, she reminded me of Dolly. She spoke with a southern accent.

'Must be Kate' I figured out.

She smiled excitably as she spotted Claudia and I walking towards her.

"Oh wow can't believe you're finally here!"

"Hello Kate, how have you been?"

"Oh so impatient, we've been so anxious to finally see Dakota!"

I looked at her with a blank expression, but tried to smile at least.

Kate smiled at me in a hopeful way.

I was still getting over the shock that this women wanted to welcome me into her home and let me hold the title of being their daughter till I was 18 years of age.

"It's nice to meet you ma'am…thank you for welcoming me into your hospitality." Kate smiled at me.

Claudia was surprised I was being polite and spoke, but nonetheless happy for my willingness to be open in some ways. Claudia had business to speak with Kate and Mika so we both entered the house to finish off my transfer. We entered the dining room and there I saw a man about 35 perhaps, drinking a coffee and eating a donut. He looked Native American with somewhat heavyset but not too much, and had long black braid barely passing his shoulders.

"Well what do you know? You're finally here!" he laughed with a jolliness in it.

"Mhm-hm Mika has just been so excited to meet you as well, we both have of course"

I was starting to feel less anxious these people were so nice and had a beautiful home. I regretted ever calling them hill-billies. Claudia and the couple both sat down and spoke about important documents that needed to be taken care while I was residing here. I went outside to do a little curious exploring.

I walked along the sturdy steel fence that had all the animals. I was curious what type of farm they had, I was puzzled by how cold it was here and how can they grow any crop. I mean most crops grew in a hot and warm climate, like the south. I saw plenty of horses, sheep, goats, and even bulls. I spotted the born and curiosity was pulling me in. I opened the born door and entered inside. I saw the barn full of cows in pens, and pigs. The smell was well intense but nothing I could not handle. Meth smelled much worse and was toxic; I still don't know how I survived for so long. I decided it was time to head back before they got worried. As I went my way to the house, I heard rusting in the woods along side of me. I quickly turned around and saw nothing but a sense of being watched by someone or something.

"Huh? Weird…"

I slightly quickened my pace to the house constantly looking behind me. I reached the home said my goodbyes to Claudia. I was secretly going to miss her in a way, but I knew I would she her around. I'm a child of the ward after all.

OKAY I WANT REVIEWS, OPINIONS, THOUGHTS, MAYBE SOME IDEAS TO MAKE IT BETTER OR MORE EXCITING, IF I DONT GET ANY REVIEWS THEN IM NOT CONTINUING IT. NO POINT IN CONTINUING A STORY NO ONE READS. :) I'M ON EVERYDAY AND I'LL UPDATE FAST IF I GET REVIEWS I PINKIE PROMISE. UNLIKE SOME OTHER WRITERS -.-